Growers And Retailers Share Snow Stories

We are a full-service retail florist in Buffalo, N.Y., with a half acre of greenhouses. We had our localized storm on Oct. 12 and 13, where 22 inches of snow brought down tree branches that had not shed their leaves. Eighty percent of the area was without power for several days and we lost 240 panes in the greenhouses. Hortica Insurance took care of this nicely.

For Valentine’s Day, we had about 400 deliveries to make in one day. The threat of the storm was frightening, but love must prevail.

Our talk radio station, WBEN, where we were advertising called my brother Frank (the oice in our ads and dispatcher of our drivers) on Tuesday afternoon to ask if they could do an on-air phone interview on Valentine’s morning, which he agreed to. The next morning they announced they would be interviewing Frank Mischler of Mischler’s concerning the weather’s impact on Valentine deliveries. At about 8:30 a.m. they announced they had Frank Mischler of Mischler’s Florist on South Forest Road in Williamsville on the line.

The interview went well. He stated that three drivers were already on the road and seven more would join them. Yes, we were still taking orders. After the interview, they closed with the same full name and address. Yes, we did complete all deliveries by 5 p.m. The weather was never as bad as preducted.

– Dave Mischler, Mischler’s Florist in Buffalo, N.Y.

Farm Market Prunes Roses

This is the first time in 10 years that we have not had a floral shop! We were so fortunate that we didn’t have to deal with the weather affecting the cash-and-carry sale of roses.

As sad as it was, it was a good year to give up fresh floral.

– Kathy Rhoads, Rhoads Farm Market, Circleville, Ohio

Ice Frosts Missouri

Here in mid Missouri, it’s not so much snow as it is ice! We had freezing rain, then four inches of sleet, then a few inches of snow on top of that on the last day of November 2006. On December 1, I was exhausted from fighting it all day the day before. I got up just in time to se a 96-foot hoop house cave in under the weight. Every bow was broken right in the middle. The bows have now been welded, but no break in the weather to recover.

Then in January, we left town for a few days to visit an ailing family member in San Antonio. The day after we arrived there, a huge ice storm hit our area. WE were without electricity for five days. Needless to say, the trip was cut short.

We rushed home and fired up the generator. We have kept everything in the germination house so far to save on heat. Since we can hardly turn around in there now. We have to bit the bullet and spread out into another greenhouse this week.

It’s been rough, but we are still fortunate. No one has been hurt. A little adversity only makes us tougher!

Research at the University of California Santa Cruz has shown that the first crops of tomatoes and cucumbers grown inside electricity-generating solar greenhouses are as healthy as those raised in conventional greenhouses.

Research at the University of California Santa Cruz has shown that the first crops of tomatoes and cucumbers grown inside electricity-generating solar greenhouses are as healthy as those raised in conventional greenhouses.

Here’s a look at how a few manufacturers have partnered with growers to make their transition into cannabis a smooth one, whether it’s through hands-on guidance or partnering with other industry leaders.

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eGro, an online resource for greenhouse growers, features a series of video lectures and tutorials on a wide variety of topics, including greenhouse structures and terminology, heating and cooling, and more.